Type Temperament
Introduction
Ever wondered why some people are remarkably flexible while others are awfully uptight? For most, this difference in temperament, although obvious, is hard to explain. But with our current understanding of Solidity and Fluidity, we can now provide a comprehensive explanation of this personality aspect through Type Temperament.
In essence, Type Temperament is the intensity of an individual when they are engaging with the world at large. It is the behavior that one will see when a person’s Energy Structure and Construct are observed hand in hand. More importantly, it highlights where an individual falls on the spectrum of Solidity and Fluidity.
From there, we can determine whether an individual is Assertive, Conclusive, Decisive, or Receptive. Once we have figured out our Type Temperament, we can then work on striking a healthy balance in our overall Solidity or Fluidity. By doing so, we will be able to prevent ourselves from bulldozing others or being trampled on in life.
Assertive
Assertive types are those who are solid with both their decisions and observations. Because of that, their beliefs and perspectives are often more definite, which explains why they often hold strong opinions and convictions in many areas of life. So, once they have settled on a way of seeing or doing things, they will often stick to their guns, making them a lot more rigid compared to other types.
Besides that, if there is one thing to note about Assertive types, it is that they don’t usually beat around the bush. They like to get straight to the point, saying things exactly as it is without mincing any words. They have no trouble asserting themselves in life, and are willing to fight for what they think is right even if it means burning a few bridges.
Having said that, coming off as strongly as Assertive types isn’t always a good move. Their headstrong personality means that they have a tendency to force others into a mold or stubbornly insist on their own ways no matter what people say. And in a bid to get their point across, they may sometimes become harsh to others unintentionally, thinking that their behavior is normal or acceptable.
If Assertive types keep this up, they will eventually become extremely overbearing and difficult to deal with. People will then begin to avoid Assertive types, fearing that they too might end up getting steamrolled for standing in the way. Furthermore, their relentless approach can often sow resentment among others towards them.
To avoid this, they must learn to be more open to opinions and perspectives that are different from theirs. They should listen and consider what others have to say, instead of stubbornly insisting on their own way. After all, one can only know and do what’s best if they are first willing to learn from others.
Conclusive
Conclusive types are those who are solid with their observations but fluid with their decisions. Being solid on one aspect but fluid on the other means that they have a more balanced temperament in general, making them neither too rigid, nor too flexible as a person. That said, they will not hesitate to correct any misinformation when necessary as they are naturally certain of their understanding of things.
As such, Conclusive types tend to carry perceptions that are much more reliable due to their strong grasp of information. So much so that it is quite normal for them to describe detailed facts or visualize vivid concepts without much difficulty. Therefore, they are usually known for their impeccable memory or intricate ideas.
Unfortunately, Conclusive types can often be overconfident with their understanding of things. Thinking that they know everything, they may insist that their perceptions are right, shutting off any other perception that differs from theirs. Some of them might even end up asserting information that is completely wrong, thinking that it is accurate.
If Conclusive types continue to be insistent on what they know, it can lead to dire consequences. If they are proven wrong too many times, people will begin to grow skeptical of whatever they say. Even if they are right in most cases, there will eventually come a time where they make a huge mistake due to a small misunderstanding of matters.
To make sure that doesn’t happen, Conclusive types must acknowledge the possibility that their perspectives can be wrong at times. It simply takes a quick check to avoid any calamities whenever Conclusive types feel like they may be misinformed. After all, one can never be too careful, especially when things are at stake.
Decisive
Decisive types are those who are solid with their decisions but fluid with their observations. Like Conclusive types, they too are relatively balanced in temperament as they are flexible on one aspect yet firm on the other. But being balanced does not mean they won’t put their foot down if needed. With strong opinions on how things should be, they feel comfortable speaking their mind when things are clearly off.
Certain about their own judgment, Decisive types find no issue making decisions in an instant. So, when desperate times call for desperate measures, they will definitely not hesitate to take drastic actions if they deem it necessary. And once they have made up their minds, they tend to stick by their decisions, defending them when challenged.
However, the insistent nature of Decisive types can often rub people the wrong way. Confident that they are right, they don’t mind throwing their opinions out into the open even though it might be offensive to others. They may not see a problem acting in this brazen manner, but sooner or later, people will find them arrogant or stubborn.
Furthermore, Decisive types tend to make decisions without second guessing themselves, bringing about unnecessary risks. The problem is that when they do make the wrong decision, they will then have no choice but to bear the consequences that follow. Worse yet, they may end up with a reputation for being hasty and foolhardy.
To prevent this from happening, Decisive types should take a moment to question their opinions from time to time. Whenever they are about to make an important decision, they should run it by a few people before going ahead with it. After all, if there is a chance to refine one’s opinions and decisions for the better, why not?
Receptive
Receptive types are those who are fluid with both their decisions and observations. In general, they are more easygoing compared to others as they don’t usually hold such strong opinions on any particular issue. Because of that, their perspectives and beliefs are relatively more malleable, allowing them to easily understand or accept points of view that are different from their own.
Apart from that, Receptive types tend to work well with others as they are usually less fussy and confrontational when things don’t go their way. They don’t mind letting others take charge as they can readily take in advice and suggestions from others. This means that they rarely step on people’s toes, keeping any unnecessary fights at bay.
The drawback of being Receptive, though, is that it is hard for such types to be certain of anything. Unsure of what they want or think, they often go along with things that they might not actually agree with or understand. Some Receptive types may be so fluid to the point that they can simply change their minds based on the situation they are in.
This in turn, sows doubt in others, making it harder for people to rely on Receptive types over time. In the long run, they may end up being seen as wishy-washy, or even worse, spineless. On top of that, since they don’t assert themselves much—or at all—people will take advantage of them and push them around.
To make sure this does not happen, Receptive types must learn to assert themselves. Although there are benefits of being Receptive, it is still essential for them to stand their ground when things are clearly wrong. After all, to truly reach the best outcomes, one must be able to defend an opinion worth fighting for.
Conclusion
As you may have gathered by now, there are neither good nor bad Type Temperaments as each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The secret to true growth is by achieving an inner balance in our Type Temperament. However, this can only happen if we recognize our Type Temperament and leverage that knowledge to our advantage. To summarize this section, let us review the key points in the next part.
Read next part → Summary [Energy]